Lower Extremity Revascularization

Preoperative Evaluation: First your doctor performs a complete history and physical, including a careful examination of the pulses in the legs. The next study generally obtained is a lower extremity arterial Doppler exam. This more precisely quantifies the amount of circulation to the legs. If it is felt a revascularization procedure is needed, an arteriogram is then performed, usually in the radiology department at the hospital.

Procedure: A bypass is performed to bring blood flow around the blocked arteries in the leg. The bypass can be made with the patient’s own vein or with an artificial (plastic) bypass graft.